Muskingum River Parkway State Park, an Ohio State Park near Newark, Sonora

Muskingum River Parkway State Park

Facilities and Activities:

General Land, acres 120
Water, acres -13
Day-Use Fishing yes
Hiking Trail, miles 1
Picnicking yes
Nature Programs yes
Boating Boating Limits -2
Launch Ramps, # yes
Camping Primative, # 28
Pets Permitted yes

State Park Location Maps:

(click here to zoom and navigate local map)

(click here to zoom and navigate regional map)

View TOPO Maps!

Get directions to this park:

State Park Photo Gallery:
volunteer positions open

Muskingum River Parkway State Park

State Park Link:
Muskingum River Parkway State Park

Nearby Parks:
Blue Rock State Park
Big Bottom State Memorial Park
Blue Rock State Forest
Gifford State Forest
Burr Oak State Park
Trimble State Wildlife Area
Avondale State Wildlife Area
Wolf Run State Park

State Park Contact Information:
	Muskingum River Parkway State Park 5265 Dillon Hills Dr. Nashport, Ohio 43830 Phone: 740-453-4377 Reservations: 866-644-6727	Area Accommodations
Adopt-A-Park Contacts:
	Photography: add your photos
State Park Reservations:
	Reservations:

State Park Overview:

The Muskingum River Parkway and its 160-year-old navigation system were designated a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers in July 2001. Along with such majestic institutions as Hoover Dam, The Empire State Building and the Golden Gate Bridge, the Muskingum River's 10 hand-operated locks are now recognized as one of America's great engineering accomplishments.

In its day, the system of locks and dams that extends 112 miles through southeastern Ohio, helped open the state and the entire Midwest to trade and development. Today, it serves the needs of more than 7,000 recreational boaters each year who come to fish, picnic and play in the scenic Muskingum Valley.

Nature of the Area:

The Muskingum River is formed by the confluence of the Walhonding and Tuscarawas rivers in Coshocton, Ohio. From there, it flows south through Zanesville where it is joined by the Licking River until it eventually drains into the Ohio River at Marietta. This mighty river travels 112 miles in all, traversing the scenic hill country.

The rich floodplains of the Muskingum provide suitable conditions for walnut, elm, cottonwood and sycamore. Dense paw-paw thickets line the banks of the river. A rich diversity of bird life and mammals share the wooded shores. The Muskingum provides a remarkable fishery including catches of huge shovelhead catfish. The mighty Ohio muskellunge was once abundant in the Muskingum and its tributaries, but its population has declined in recent years. A number of rare fish share the waters such as sanddarters, northern madtoms, mooneyes and channel darters. The Muskingum and its tributaries have long supported large and diverse populations of freshwater mussels. Dissolved limestone in the river is used by the mussels in constructing their shells. The Muskingum River system supports the last remaining Ohio populations of mussels such as monkeyface shell, fan shell, Ohio pigtoe and the butterfly shell.

Reviews By Park Visitors:

visitor rating:

(2 votes) |Post Your Own Review

Nice river and locks

We canoed and kayaked the whole river in four and a half days. Camped at the locks. Ellis is nice campground but Luke Chute is an excellent camp. All the lock tenders were helpful and nice.

Written by Tim 3-Sep-2008

Great Boating ! !

Boated from North of Zanesville to McConnalsville and back in a day. Locks are great. Everybody must see them operate.

Written by Mitch 9-Nov-2008

Camping:

A camping area is provided at Lock 11. There are 20 campsites off State Route 60 and County Road 49 in Muskingum County. Water, picnic tables, fire rings and latrines are provided. Pets are permitted in the camping area at Ellis. There are eight boaters-only, primitive campsites at Lock #5, Luke Chute.

Picnicking:

Picnic tables, grills, latrines, and drinking water are available at all locks except Lock 9 at Philo in Muskingum County. Visitors are requested to build fires only in the grills provided and to dispose of all litter properly.

Boating:

It is suggested that prior to departing for a boat trip on the Muskingum River, boaters contact the park office to check on river and lock conditions. Boats with unlimited horsepower motors, house boats, pontoon boats, canoes and rowboats travel the river. Public launch ramps are provided at Locks 4, 5, 6 and 11. Private ramps are located near Locks 2, 7 and 10.

The Muskingum River is navigable from Dresden to Marietta. However, the river channel from Dresden to Ellis is unmarked and difficult to follow. Information on navigation charts can be obtained at the parkway office.

Some of the tributaries which empty into the Muskingum River are also navigable for short distances and provide excellent fishing. The Licking River which joins the Muskingum River in Zanesville, is navigable only by canoe or rowboat.

Fishing and Hunting:

All three species of black bass (largemouth, smallmouth and spotted), saugeye and various species of catfish are taken from the river. Bass are also found in several tributaries. Fishing is permitted from boats and at each of the lock sites; however, fishing is prohibited from the lock walls. A valid Ohio fishing license is required.

History of the Area:

The Muskingum River, because of its size and location, has played an important role in Ohio's history. It is the largest river lying solely within Ohio, draining an area equal to one-fifth of the entire state.

Missionaries settled along the headwaters of this picturesque river in 1761. The first permanent settlement in Ohio was established in 1788 at Marietta. One of the city's founders, General Rufus Putnam, recognized the economic potential of the Muskingum River for transporting raw materials to eastern markets and brought in New England shipbuilders. In 1824, steam-powered paddle wheelers joined the flatboat and keelboat traders, generating public support for river navigation.

West Point graduate Major Samuel Curtis designed a system of 10 dams and 11 locks to connect the Muskingum River to the Ohio and Erie Canal at Dresden. Opened in 1841, the system provided navigable waterways from Marietta to Lake Erie.

Area Accommodations

Cottages and Cabins

The Ohio Outback Lodge - McConnelsville, OH
In the heart of Ohio the Outback Lodge is located in Southeast Ohio, just minutes from the beautiful Muskingum River. The 2,200 square foot Lodge is constructed of Pine Logs, full basement, beautiful rural setting. It has wooded area as well as a creek and pond. This is a beautiful outdoor vacation spot.
Web Site: http://www.theohiooutbacklodge.com

Rose's Vacation Cabin - Glouster, OH
Burr Oak State Park - Located in the rolling hills of southeastern Ohio. Rose's Vacation Cabin Rental is a special place to make your Honeymoon, Anniversary, or Family Getaway a relaxing experience.
Web Site: http://www.rosesvacationcabinrental.com

Advertise your park related business
on stateparks.com

...vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental, etc